USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced two grants that will create educational opportunities in math and science for students interested in bioenergy and bio-based products. NIFA awarded Corinne Rutzke at Cornell University $4,999,940 to provide teachers from grades 8 through the undergraduate level with a strong footing in multi-disciplinary content and research-based training materials and activities …
Homeland Energy Joins RFA
Homeland Energy Solutions has joined the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as a new producer member. Homeland Energy Solutions is 100 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery located in Lawler, Iowa which started production in April 2009. The facility uses approximately 37 million bushels of corn annually, and produces more than 350,000 metric tons of livestock feed in the form of …
POET and Growth Energy Win Regional NAMA Awards
Ethanol industry campaigns targeting the general public and Congress have won top awards from Region II of the National Agri-Marketing Association, which covers the west central part of the country from Montana to Texas. First place honors for “Television Ad Series” and “Best in Show” from the NAMA Region II went to a national TV advertising campaign for ethanol producer …
Rooftop Solar Farm Under Construction In Florida
One of the largest rooftop solar farms in Florida is now under construction in Gainsville, Florida as part of a new Publix-anchored shopping center. Once complete, the 350 kW solar array will have nearly 1,500 panels spanning 46,000 square-feet atop the Exchange shopping center. The solar panels will begin providing electricity by the end of March 2011 and will be …
An In-depth Look At Waste’s Role in Energy
A few months ago, I did a review of the book, The Story of Stuff. While the book was good, I was alarmed at the author Annie Leonard’s, unflattering views of waste-to-energy. For decades, municipal waste companies have been burning their trash. Known as incineration, Leonard says that this causes a multitude of problems, the first being burning pollutes and …
Mercedes-Benz Calls for More Hydrogen Infrastructure
German auto maker Mercedes-Benz says governments and utility companies need to invest more in hydrogen infrastructure in order to help get use of fuel cells in cars. The Detroit News says the company made the pitch during the North American International Auto Show and said it soon put 70 fuel-cell powered B-class vehicles on the road soon in California and …
Energy Innovation to Open Toronto Biodiesel Plant
A Canadian company has plans to open a biodiesel plant in Toronto. This article from TheProvince.com says Energy Innovation Corp. will make the fuel, as well as animal feed and human food from flax seed without creating any waste: “The demand is actually 10 times more than we think we’ll be able to supply over the next 16 to 18 …
Best of America Tour Visits Cali Ethanol Symposium
Last week EcoTrek’s “Best of America Tour” kicked off at the Pier of Santa Monica. On Friday, January 14th, the EcoTrek truck made a tour stop at the California Ethanol Symposium. I had the chance to check out the EcoTrek truck and spend some time with Tom Holm the Executive Director of the EcoTrek Foundation and the creator of the …
Mastic Named CEO of National Wind
Last Fall, National Wind named Peter Mastic President and Chief Development Officer. Now the company has named him CEO. He is now responsible for the company’s strategic planning, operations management, wind farm development, project finance, and overseeing all company employees. Mastic is replacing Leon Steinberg who had been the CEO since 2007 and is staying on as Executive Vice President …
RFA Says Ethanol Tariff Meets WTO Guidelines
The Renewable Fuels Association is confident that U.S. ethanol trade policy conforms with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. In response to recent comments by senators about the legality of the ethanol tariff, RFA Legislative Counsel Ed Hubbard authored an explanation on the E-xchange blog. According to Hubbard, the market-based structure of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the …